DimitriosL Posted February 10 · Member Share Posted February 10 A true miracle amongst the mostly unoriginal and deminishing in artistic value coins of the late 3rd century is the coinage of Probus. Unique, bold and of great variety. I recently started learning more about this fascinating chapter of roman numismatic history. What is your favorite/ most unique Probus coins? 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Julius Posted February 10 · Member Share Posted February 10 (edited) I have many Probus coins. My Probus coins are either very common and in good condition or super rare and extremely ugly. This one is common but in nice condition. I like it. Edited February 10 by Orange Julius 14 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DimitriosL Posted February 10 · Member Author Share Posted February 10 2 hours ago, Orange Julius said: I have many Probus coins. My Probus coins are either very common and in good condition or super rare and extremely ugly. This one is common but in nice condition. I like it. Beautiful! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted February 10 · Member Share Posted February 10 I also have many Probus. Picking one is tough. I prefer the Lugdunum mint (>400 coins). Here is one of my better ones. Obv:– VIRTVS PRO-BI AVG, Radiate, helmeted, cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield, decorated with emperor riding past row of soldiers with shields Rev:– ADVENTVS PROBI AVG, Emperor riding left, right hand raised, left holding sceptre; at foot, captive Minted in Lugdunum (IIII) Emission 5 Officina 4. End A.D. 277 to Early A.D. 278 References:– Cohen 69. Bastien 256 (2 examples cited). RIC 64 Bust Type G (S) Appears to be an obverse die match to the plate example in Bastien I have some decent coins from all the mints. Here is one from Rome. Obv:– IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG, Radiate, bust left in imperial mantle, holding scepter surmounted by eagle Rev:– SOLI INVICTO, Sol in quadriga riding left, holding globe and whip Minted in Rome (R in exe) Emission 2. A.D. 277 Reference(s) – RIC 204 Bust type H Weight 5.63 gms. Size 23.25 mm 13 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DimitriosL Posted February 10 · Member Author Share Posted February 10 22 minutes ago, maridvnvm said: I also have many Probus. Picking one is tough. I prefer the Lugdunum mint (>400 coins). Here is one of my better ones. Obv:– VIRTVS PRO-BI AVG, Radiate, helmeted, cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield, decorated with emperor riding past row of soldiers with shields Rev:– ADVENTVS PROBI AVG, Emperor riding left, right hand raised, left holding sceptre; at foot, captive Minted in Lugdunum (IIII) Emission 5 Officina 4. End A.D. 277 to Early A.D. 278 References:– Cohen 69. Bastien 256 (2 examples cited). RIC 64 Bust Type G (S) Appears to be an obverse die match to the plate example in Bastien I have some decent coins from all the mints. Here is one from Rome. Obv:– IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG, Radiate, bust left in imperial mantle, holding scepter surmounted by eagle Rev:– SOLI INVICTO, Sol in quadriga riding left, holding globe and whip Minted in Rome (R in exe) Emission 2. A.D. 277 Reference(s) – RIC 204 Bust type H Weight 5.63 gms. Size 23.25 mm Stunning portrait and superb silvering! Havent seen many in that condition. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted February 10 · Member Share Posted February 10 They're very neat! I mainly collect larger or solid silver types, so I have only two or three individually purchased coins of Probus. My last was in 2009, from a local coin show. There was an XF silvered example of a normal bust type, priced at $20. I was shocked by the cheap price, and the dealer misinterpreted my surprise as complaining about the price, and he replied that he wouldn't go any lower. I happily plonked down the $20. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted February 10 · Supporter Share Posted February 10 Lovely examples shown above. I have only one Probus, as having I coin from each Emperor is quite fun. 12 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DimitriosL Posted February 10 · Member Author Share Posted February 10 34 minutes ago, Nerosmyfavorite68 said: They're very neat! I mainly collect larger or solid silver types, so I have only two or three individually purchased coins of Probus. My last was in 2009, from a local coin show. There was an XF silvered example of a normal bust type, priced at $20. I was shocked by the cheap price, and the dealer misinterpreted my surprise as complaining about the price, and he replied that he wouldn't go any lower. I happily plonked down the $20. Dirt cheap! Unfortunately there are no coin shows in my country. Auctions tend to get unreasonably expensive most of the times. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DimitriosL Posted February 10 · Member Author Share Posted February 10 13 minutes ago, expat said: Lovely examples shown above. I have only one Probus, as having I coin from each Emperor is quite fun. Is that intact silvering or toning? If it is the former its fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tejas Posted February 10 · Member Share Posted February 10 (edited) Yes, Probus was kind to us collectors by producing wonderful portraits and some very unusual legends. Here is one from my collection with the rare DEO ET DOMINO title: Obv.: IMP DEO ET DOMINO PROBO AVG Rev.: CLEMENTIA TEMP BUST TYPE: A2 FIELD / EXERGUE MARKS: -/*/-//KA•Γ• WEIGHT 4.53g / AXIS: 6h RIC: 841 From the middle of the 3rd century AD onwards, the traditional form of the title was paid less and less attention in coinage, which eventually culminated in legends with the deus et dominus title. The introduction of the title (in vow form: DOMINO ET DEO) was an initiative of the procurator monetae in Serdica under Aurelianus, who later also honoured Probus and Carus with this title. The title was probably not created at the instigation of the imperial government, but was tolerated by it. See Alföldi, Andreas, Die monarchische Repräsentation im römischen Kaiserreiche, Darmstadt 1980, p. 210 ff. Edited February 10 by Tejas 13 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DimitriosL Posted February 10 · Member Author Share Posted February 10 12 minutes ago, Tejas said: Yes, Probus was kind to us collectors by producing wonderful portraits and some very unusual legends. Here is one from my collection with the rare DEO ET DOMINO title: Obv.: IMP DEO ET DOMINO PROBO AVG Rev.: CLEMENTIA TEMP BUST TYPE: A2 FIELD / EXERGUE MARKS: -/*/-//KA•Γ• WEIGHT 4.53g / AXIS: 6h RIC: 841 From the middle of the 3rd century AD onwards, the traditional form of the title was paid less and less attention in coinage, which eventually culminated in legends with the deus et dominus title. The introduction of the title (in vow form: DOMINO ET DEO) was an initiative of the procurator monetae in Serdica under Aurelianus, who later also honoured Probus and Carus with this title. The title was probably not created at the instigation of the imperial government, but was tolerated by it. See Alföldi, Andreas, Die monarchische Repräsentation im römischen Kaiserreiche, Darmstadt 1980, p. 210 ff. Very interesting and lovely coin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dafydd Posted February 10 · Supporter Share Posted February 10 277 AD. Lugdunum mint. Obv: IMP C PROBVS P F AVG legend with radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: MARS VICTOR legend with Mars advancing right carrying trophy and spear; II in exergue. RIC 84; Sear 11992.3.47 grams. Ex-Timeline Auctions 2021. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted February 10 · Member Share Posted February 10 There are a few Mars varieties from Lugdunum. Thgis type with a captive before is wuite scarce. Obv:– IMP C PROBVS P F AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– MARS VICTOR, Mars walking right, holding spear and trophy; at foot, captive. Minted in Lugdunum (unmarked) Emission 7 Officina -. Summer A.D. 281 Reference(s) – RIC 35 Bust Type F (Scarce) From aureus reverse dies. Same reverse die as aureus - Bastien 301 Weight 4.12g. 22.42mm. 0 degrees 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursus Posted February 10 · Supporter Share Posted February 10 (edited) Probus is outside of my collecting focus but I have two coins struck for him: 1. This is part of the somewhat mysterious EQUITI-series. The mints of Rome and Ticinium struck two different coded series of coins with the letters AEQUIT or EQUITI as fieldmarks for the different officinae. More on this codeword can be found here on @Sulla80's blog and in this article by Gert Boersema. Also note the consular bust featuring the imperial mantle (or tunica palmata) and eagle sceptre. Probus, Roman Empire, AE/BI antoninianus, 281 AD, Ticinium mint. Obv: IMP C PROBVS AVG; radiate bust of Probus l., wearing imperial mantle, and holding eagle-tipped sceptre. Rev: MARTI PACIF; Mars walking l., holding olive-branch, spear and shield; in fields, I – *; in exergue, QXXI. 22mm, 3.38g. Ref: RIV V Probus 508. Ex AMCC 3, lot 571. 2. This one I bought years ago, shortly after I had started to collect. Back then, I was attracted to the portrait style and the unusual mint. Today, I'd probably be more picky and wait for a coin with better surfaces. The mint still makes me keep this coin in my collection, though: Tripolis only struck coins from c. 274 to 286 AD, and this is the only example from this mint that I have. @Valentinian has an educational website on the short-lived Tripolis mint. Probus, Roman Empire, AE/BI antoninianus, 276–282 AD, Tripolis mint. Obv: IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: CLEMENTIA TEMP. Emperor standing right, holding eagle-tipped sceptre, receiving globe (or pileus?) from Jupiter, holding sceptre. Crescent in lower centre; mintmark KA. 23 mm, 4.13 g. Ref: RIC V Probus 928 (crescent). Edited February 10 by Ursus 11 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted February 10 · Member Share Posted February 10 Here is another alternative depiction of Mars Obv:– IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. Rev:– MARTI VICTORI AVG, Mars standing left, holding laurel-branch and spear, shield behind. Minted in Lugdunum (//II) Emission 7 Officina 2. Summer A.D. 281 Reference:– Bastien 317 (5 examples cited). RIC 88 Bust type C. 4.14 gms 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molag Bal Posted February 10 · Member Share Posted February 10 (edited) I have 7 coins of Probus, 6 of which I acquired last year and would like to get more, since I'm still missing a consular bust and the SOLI INVICTO and ADVENTVS reverse types. And the AEQVITI series is also neat... Not to mention all the rarer bust varieties and legends. Obv: IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust right. Rev: VIRTVS PROBI AVG / XXI VI. Mars advancing right, holding spear and trophy over shoulder. RIC 811 Siscia Weight: 4.30g. Diameter: 22mm. Edited February 10 by Molag Bal 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Octavius Posted February 11 · Supporter Share Posted February 11 Three Antoniniani of Probus... 1 fully silvered ADVENTVS 2. Soli Invicto , with Sol driving quadriga... 3. Victoria Germ(anica) with two captives at foot of trophy... 11 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furryfrog02 Posted February 11 · Supporter Share Posted February 11 Probus had some great coins for as late into the Empire as he was. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DimitriosL Posted February 11 · Member Author Share Posted February 11 6 hours ago, Octavius said: Three Antoniniani of Probus... 1 fully silvered ADVENTVS 2. Soli Invicto , with Sol driving quadriga... 3. Victoria Germ(anica) with two captives at foot of trophy... Stunning! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DimitriosL Posted February 11 · Member Author Share Posted February 11 6 hours ago, Furryfrog02 said: Probus had some great coins for as late into the Empire as he was. Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted February 11 · Member Share Posted February 11 Ticinum Obv:– IMP C PROBVS AVG, Radiate bust left in imperial mantle, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle Rev:– MARTI PACIF, Mars walking left, holding olive-branch, spear and shield Minted in Ticinium (I | * / QXXI), Emission 10, Officina 4. A.D. 282 Reference(s) – RIC 508 Bust type H Part of EQVITI series II (I) Siscia Obv:– IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG, Radiate bust left in imperial mantle, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle Rev:– ADVENTVS AVG, Emperor riding left right hand raised, left holding scepter (without captive) Minted in Siscia (XXIV in exe) Emission 5 Officina 5. A.D. 278 Reference:– RIC 624 Bust type H. Alföldi type 5, n° 96 4.00 gms, 22.11 mm. 180 degrees 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc9 Posted February 11 · Member Share Posted February 11 My favorite Probus : obv : IMP PROBUS . P . F AVG rev : VIR - TUS AVG // IIII RIC V part II nr ? 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted February 11 · Member Share Posted February 11 (edited) @mc9 Full attribuition of your coins below:_ Obv:– IMP C PROBVS • P • F • AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– VIRTVS AVG, Soldier standing left, holding Victory and spear, left hand on shield Minted in Lugdunum (IIII in exe) Emission 6 Officina 4. A.D. 278 to 279 Reference:– Cohen 816. Bastien 298. RIC 112 Bust type F Edited February 11 by maridvnvm 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted February 12 · Member Share Posted February 12 @mc9 That is a nice example of the type. The same reverse type has quite a few variations. I have a few.... This one is similar to yours but with a less refined bust style. This one has better bust style but a worn reverse die. Here the bust is draped and seen from the front. Here the bust is cuirassed only and seen from the rear (quite a scarce bust type for this mint) Here we have the longer obverse legend "IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG" combined with a draped and cuirassed bust seen from the rear I am not sure if there is any actual relevance to the direction of the Victory being held but you can clearly see that the Victories occur facing in each direction. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewomack Posted February 13 · Supporter Share Posted February 13 If you can read French, or even get by in it, this is a pretty awesome book on the subject. It discusses many (if not all) of the major portraits and reverse variations. 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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